I was wondering if anyone could recommend the best scissors for fly tying. I've been managing with a pair of Veniards which came with a kit so they ain't exactly top of the range.
I'm not looking to buy the most expensive scissors if I can avoid it but just feel I could improve on what I've got. I think it's like when I had a non ceramic bobbin holder and the thread kept breaking. I didn't know any better and made do but there must be room for improvement.
Any suggestions appreciated.
I'm not sure which are the best but I use a pair of craft scissors from Tesco yes Tesco. I think they are 2.99. They have a nice fine point I have had them a couple of years now. I still have a pair of stonefly scissors which are good but the tesco ones are every bit as good at less than half the price.
I bought a pair of Stonefly scissors last year Donald. Kept absolutely for feathers, threads and yarns etc only. Fine serrated blades, well made, superb. They cut accurately at the extreme tip which cheap scissors don't do or at least don't do for long.
Not cheap I think they were over 20 quid, but worth every penny. I have a few pairs of cheap shit scissors for cutting lead, tinsel, wire etc
Can't say if if they have improved or not Stave having never owned any previous Stonefly tools.
Tesco's craft scissors bought on forum advice are perfect and cheap. I keep the veniards for wire which is about all they are good for.
Tim
Thompson supreme scissors had the reputation as the best best scissors around.not cheap at around ?35 but they are no longer available.but apparently they were made for them by anvil .these are available from lakeland for ?18.the finger loops were mouldable and the blades were ice tempered.i first saw them being used by Ollie Edwards at a fly tying demo and he swore they were the best he had used.
Garry
With reference to stonefly products , apart from the scissors it is my experience that their other products are crap sorry ! but they are. Had a bobbin holder that broke also a fur rake that broke too. just my opinion , there you go.
Have a look at sportfish gold loop scissors. Reasonable price and pretty good.
I was using a pair of Steve Parton "Mitey Fine" scissors last night on deer hair and they were absolutely spot on, cost about a fiver.
Another vote for the sportfish gold loop scissors had them for a few years and still ok. Also have a pair of veniards scissors with serrated edge very good for cutting feathers and deer hair.
In all such things- how much time do you spend taking care (sharpening) such essential tools?
It was beaten into me aged 6 or less, by my great-grandfather who was a joiner-cabinet maker in Colinton Road, Edinburgh (Erskine & Brown).
A chisel or plane needed the "edge" replaced after 15 mins of work, and re-ground every week. His team worked a 5 1/2 day week, the half day, on Saturday, was entirely tidying up and tool sharpening. 45 years later I can still do a 10pt crosscut saw in under 15 mins.
But then, I am a sad b@st@rd>
Quote from: Inchlaggan on April 03, 2010, 09:22:22 PMBut then, I am a sad b@st@rd
Not at all :D
I was just about to recommend scissors I got from ebay - a set of 3 different types for ?10 odd.
German seller, but didn't see them listed on a quick search.
Had mine since I started tying, and a wee run over a Japanese gritstone has them as sharp as Frankie Boyle in jig time.
I quick word on Stonefly products.............Don't.
I was the first in Scotland to buy their set, the ones coloured blue or so the lady from H & H told me & probably the first to send the hackle pliers back for replacement no not one but two times, both broke.
The rest were hastily confined to "bin" other than the dubbing needle which I still use & oh the scissors & dubbing rake I still have somewhere. The best part was the plastic box they came in. The scissors were actually quite sharp with fine points but I bloody could not get them of my fingers as they have rubber inserts in the grips which refuse to shake off & you have to use your other hand to pull off.
Not going to tell you what my good lady bought me for Xmas though, Andrew Moray knows..... :makefun
Tight Lines
Quote from: Highlander on April 09, 2010, 03:21:09 PMNot going to tell you what my good lady bought me for Xmas though, Andrew Moray knows..... :makefun
Indeed he does :D
Pity it wasn't one of these, somebody REALLY wanted this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/lawrence-waldron-rotary-fly-tying-vice-fly-fishing_W0QQitemZ250605114660QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportingGoods_FishingAcces_RL?hash=item3a593a9524
Have a good weekend Alan,
Tony
Cheers for all the replies. :8) I'll let you know what I get once I've read them all.